Question

Assalamualaikum,  can you explain to me about the ruling which says a person must say (verbally) the word “vow” for making a vow binding?  Is this ruling reliable?  If it is reliable, I would follow this ruling as it seems to me easy and comfortable to follow.

Please, also give example of conditional and unconditional vows under this ruling.
Thank you.

Answer

In order for a vow to be valid the one taking the vow must use words that indicate a vow is taking place. This can be done by using the word ‘vow’ or some other similar word or phrase. For example, a person may say, “I vow to donate £100 if I pass my test.” This is an example of a conditional vow using the the word vow. Similarly, someone might say, “Donating £100 is necessary upon me if I pass my test.” Here the word ‘vow’ was not used but the phraseology clearly indicates a vow taking place. An example of a non-conditional vow would be, “I vow to donate £100.” Here no condition is attached and the person will have to donate £100.

بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (5/ 81)
كِتَابُ النَّذْرِ)
الْكَلَامُ فِي هَذَا الْكِتَابِ فِي الْأَصْلِ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ مَوَاضِعَ: فِي بَيَانِ رُكْنِ النَّذْرِ، وَفِي بَيَانِ شَرَائِطِ الرُّكْنِ، وَفِي بَيَانِ حُكْمِ النَّذْرِ أَمَّا الْأَوَّلُ: فَرُكْنُ النَّذْرِ هُوَ الصِّيغَةُ الدَّالَّةُ عَلَيْهِ وَهُوَ قَوْلُهُ: ” لِلَّهِ عَزَّ شَأْنُهُ عَلَيَّ كَذَا، أَوْ عَلَيَّ كَذَا، أَوْ هَذَا هَدْيٌ، أَوْ صَدَقَةٌ، أَوْ مَالِي صَدَقَةٌ، أَوْ مَا أَمْلِكُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَنَحْوُ ذَلِكَ

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel